This past weekend, Wiregrass Ranch National Honor Society participated in a clean up of State Road 56. Walking three miles along the road, the team was able to collect 210 pounds of trash in four hours. NHS adopted the road through the Adopt-a-Highway program, signing a two-year contract with the Florida Department of Transportation, committing to eight more clean ups over the two-year span.

NHS secretary, AJ Persaud, discovered the program and organized the event. As the club’s Adopt-A-Highway coordinator, Persaud will continue to lead the final three clean-ups this school year. Persaud was proud of how the event turned out and how it helped the community.

“Now the world is a little more beautiful, and I am glad to be responsible for that,” Persaud stated.

Club sponsor, Don Howard is also amazed by the effectiveness of the clean-up.

“It was awesome; it was very well organized and I was impressed that everyone who signed up showed up, despite it being a cold and wet morning,” Howard said.

Twelve NHS members along with club sponsors Howard and Marsh participated in the event. NHS member Youanna Mosad, said that this was an amazing experience really changed her perspective of pollution.

“I drive a lot on that highway, but I never paid attention to the trash as a driver. It was really surprising,” Mosad explained. “It made me realize that even if you think one piece of trash won’t have any impact, it will eventually add up.”

Along with road clean ups, National Honors society also participates in other activities. For Thanksgiving, the 89 member club feeds families in need by creating baskets that include various food items. For Christmas, they donate gifts for children at the Sunrise Domestic Violence center.

Because of the Wiregrass Ranch National Honor Society’s efforts, Wesley Chapel is now a cleaner place.